Tag: valmiki

When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada wasn’t impressed. ‘It is good, but Hanuman’s is better’, he said.

‘That monkey has written the Ramayana too!’, Valmiki didn’t like this at all, and wondered whose Ramayana was better. So he set out to find Hanuman.

In Kadali-vana, grove of plantains, he found Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree.

He read it and found it to be perfect. The most exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, metre and melody. He couldn’t help himself. He started to cry.

‘Is it so bad?’ asked Hanuman
‘No, it is so good’, said Valmiki
‘Then why are you crying?’asked Hanuman.

‘Because after reading your Ramayana no one will read my Ramayana,’ replied Valmiki.

Hearing this Hanuman simply tore up the seven banana leaves stating, ” Now no one will ever read Hanuman’s Ramayana.”

Hanuman said, ‘You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote your Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I wrote my Ramayana so that I remember Ram.’

At that moment he realized how he had been consumed by the desire for validation through his work.

He had not used the work to liberate himself from the fear of invalidation. He had not appreciated the essence of Ram’s tale to unknot his mind.
His Ramayana was a product of ambition; but Hanuman’s Ramayana was a product of affection.
That’s why Hanuman’s Ramayana sounded so much better. Valmiki realized that “Greater than Ram….. is the idea of Ram!!!! ”
( राम से बड़ा राम का नाम ).

This story tells us that…. There are people like Hanuman who don’t want to be famous. They just do their jobs and fulfill their purpose.
So lets not be like Valmiki, thinking our ”Ramayana” is the best.

Author: Priyadarshini Somasundar

Priyadarshini is an Engineering graduate in Electronics and Communication. She used work for Dell, Later shifted to Chennai after marriage and worked in Ericsson as system analyst.
I have always been passionate about our tradition and curious to know about our ancient wisdom and practices, which made me join this group.
View all posts by Priyadarshini Somasundar

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